Best Time To Sell A Condo In Markham

Wondering if you should list your Unionville condo this winter or wait until spring? You are not alone. Timing matters in Markham, and the right window can boost your traffic, shorten days on market, and improve your final price. In this guide, you will learn how seasonality plays out for condos near Markville Mall and Centennial GO, what local factors can tilt the odds, and how to follow a simple 6–8 week prep plan so you hit the market ready. Let’s dive in.

Timing basics for Markham condos

Spring is usually the strongest season for real estate across the Greater Toronto Area, and Markham follows that pattern. From late March to June, more buyers are searching, showings are busier, and you tend to see better pricing leverage with multiple interested parties. A secondary bump often appears in early fall when buyers restart their search after summer.

Condos are a bit different from houses. Demand can be steadier year-round because many condo buyers are first-time purchasers, commuters, investors, or downsizers. Still, seasonality exists. The big swing factor for condos is often supply at the building or neighborhood level, including new-completion waves that temporarily increase competition.

The takeaway for you is simple. If you want maximum exposure and you can prepare your unit to show beautifully, spring is usually best. If inventory is low and your building is not competing with many similar listings, a well-priced winter sale can still perform well.

Spring vs. winter vs. fall

Spring (late March to June)

• Pros: Peak buyer traffic, more open-house attendees, and better odds of multiple offers. Natural light and balcony presentation are at their best.
• Cons: More competing listings. If many new units are hitting the market, the competition can offset the traffic boost.
• Best for: Units with strong lifestyle draws like bright interiors or usable outdoor space, and sellers who can invest in full prep and staging.

Winter (mid-November to February)

• Pros: Less competition and more motivated buyers. You may get fewer showings, but the quality of interest can be higher.
• Cons: Lower overall traffic, weaker natural light, and holiday scheduling can complicate showings.
• Best for: Sellers who value speed, owners in buildings with limited competing inventory, or when market fundamentals favor listing anytime.

Fall (September to October)

• Often a healthy middle ground. Buyer activity returns after summer, and in some years inventory is lighter than spring. Patios and balconies still present well.

Local factors near Markville Mall and Centennial GO

• Transit pull: Being close to Centennial GO and major transit along Highway 7, Kennedy, and McCowan is a year-round draw for commuters. When service improves, demand often follows. Commuter buyers also time purchases to job starts and lease ends.
• Amenity hub: Markville Mall and nearby retail, dining, and medical services attract buyers who value walkable convenience. Activity from these buyers tends to peak in spring and early fall.
• New supply: Markham sees periodic condo completion waves. When a nearby building delivers many units at once, resale competition can rise temporarily. If you can, avoid listing right against a heavy completion phase.
• School-year timing: Larger condos and 2-bedroom layouts can see a spring lift from families who prefer to move before September.
• Building factors: Buyers watch condo fees, amenities, age, and reserve-fund health. Major repairs or special assessments can slow demand until details are clear.
• Microseasonality: Local events, new commercial openings, or planning decisions can shift attention for short periods. Stay alert to City of Markham updates and building-level news as you choose your date.

A simple decision guide

Use these quick cues to pick your window with confidence:

• If you want the most traffic and your condo shines in natural light, target late March to June.
• If your building has very few comparable listings right now, consider winter or early fall to benefit from lower competition.
• If a nearby new build is about to complete with many units, list either before they hit or after their first resale wave settles.
• Avoid holiday weeks if possible. Late January and February often see activity build again after a slow early January.
• Selling a rare layout, top view, or a unit with parking and a locker can outperform average seasonality. Lean into that advantage.

The 6–8 week pre-listing timeline

Weeks 6–8: Planning and big items

• Interview 2–3 local agents who specialize in Unionville condos and request comparable sales in your building and nearby towers.
• Order key condo documents for review, including declaration, by-laws, recent meeting minutes, and parking or locker details.
• Book contractors for visible or structural repairs. Address plumbing, electrical, and balcony issues early.
• Decide on a staging plan. Professional staging can be a difference maker in competitive seasons.
• Gather mortgage payoff information, property tax notices, and recent condo fee details.

Weeks 4–5: Deep cleaning and documents

• Deep clean the unit, windows, and balcony. Reduce personal items and bulky furniture to show floor space.
• Touch up paint with neutral tones. Replace burnt bulbs and use daylight-temperature bulbs for better photos.
• Complete minor cosmetic fixes like hardware, grout, and caulking.
• Arrange a professional floor plan if you do not have one.
• Order the status certificate. Having it ready can speed up negotiations in Ontario.

Weeks 2–3: Staging and marketing prep

• Finalize staging, including balcony styling if weather allows.
• Book professional photography, video, and a 3D tour. Schedule around the best natural light.
• Draft a listing description that highlights proximity to Centennial GO, Markville Mall, transit, building amenities, and your upgrades.
• Confirm showing rules with condo management, including access, elevator bookings, and any sign-in procedures.
• Consider a pre-listing inspection for transparency. This is optional and situational.

Week 1: Final polish and pre-marketing

• Capture final media and refresh staging. Add fresh linens and plants.
• Remove personal photos and valuables. Set a comfortable temperature for showings.
• Coordinate with concierge for clean access points and smooth elevator logistics.
• Prepare disclosures and feature sheets. Confirm your preferred closing timelines and flexibility.

Week 0: Launch and feedback

• Go live on MLS mid-week to maximize weekend exposure.
• Set showing windows and access details, and confirm lockbox or concierge arrangements.
• Monitor traffic and feedback closely. Be ready to adjust price or strategy if showings lag.
• Keep spare keys, fobs, parking passes, and locker keys organized for handover.

Seasonal staging tips for Markham condos

Winter

• Maximize light. Keep window coverings open and use bright, daylight bulbs.
• Set a warm, comfortable temperature to encourage longer showings.
• Coordinate with building staff to keep entries free of snow and salt.

Spring and summer

• Feature the balcony. Add seating, planters, and an outdoor rug to show usable space.
• Capture golden-hour photos if your exposure benefits from it.
• Highlight walkability to shopping, parks, and transit in your marketing.

All seasons

• Emphasize storage. Show off locker space and any custom shelving.
• Make amenity rooms available for viewing if building rules allow.
• Prepare a one-page building summary that covers amenities, recent projects, parking and locker numbers, and inclusions.

What to check right before you list

• Inventory and absorption for similar units in your building and nearby towers.
• Recent solds from the last 30 to 90 days, including days on market and sale-to-list ratios.
• New supply within 1 to 2 km and any scheduled occupancies in the next 6 to 12 months.
• Building-specific items like reserve fund updates, special assessments, or major work.
• Mortgage rate changes that impact buyer affordability.
• Any local transit updates that could enhance commuter demand.

To gather this fast, request a building-focused CMA from your agent, review current MLS data, and scan municipal planning and permit dashboards for new completions. A quick pre-listing check can confirm whether to move now or hold for a few weeks.

Who is most likely to buy your condo

• First-time buyers: Price-sensitive and often mortgage-limited. They are most active in spring and early fall and respond well to transparent costs and clear floor plans.
• Commuters: Young professionals who value transit adjacency. They search year-round and often decide around job starts and lease expiries.
• Downsizers: Drawn to walkable amenities near Markville Mall and medical services. Many prefer to move in spring, summer, or early fall.
• Investors: Driven by rental yields and financing costs. They can act in any season but track interest rate moves and local vacancy.

Aim your listing copy at these groups. Lead with transit convenience, walkable amenities, building quality, and any value adds like parking, a locker, or recent upgrades.

Bottom line: When to sell in Unionville

If you want the broadest buyer pool and strongest showing energy, late March through June is usually your best bet. Early fall can also be excellent if you want exposure without peak spring competition. Winter is viable when building-level inventory is low or your unit offers a rare advantage. Match your timing to local supply, building conditions, and your personal timeline, then follow the prep plan to launch with confidence.

When you are ready to map out dates, pricing, and a building-specific strategy, reach out to the local team that lives and works these corridors every day. Walker Parker Real Estate will help you review comps, plan your 6–8 week prep, and present your condo with premium marketing for the strongest result.

FAQs

What is the best month to sell a Unionville condo?

• Spring listings from late March to June typically see the most buyer traffic and stronger pricing leverage, with a smaller bump in early fall.

Is winter a bad time to sell in Markham?

• Not necessarily; winter brings fewer casual showings, but motivated buyers and lower competition can lead to faster deals when pricing is on point.

Should I avoid listing when a new condo is completing nearby?

• If a large building is delivering many units, consider listing before they hit or wait until the initial wave settles to reduce competition.

How far in advance should I order a status certificate?

• Order it during the prep phase, about 2 to 4 weeks before you list, so buyer reviews do not delay negotiations.

Which day of the week should I go live on MLS?

• Many sellers choose mid-week, such as Wednesday or Thursday, to build momentum into the weekend showing window.

What should I check right before setting my listing date?

• Confirm building-level inventory, recent solds, any nearby completions, building updates, mortgage rate moves, and local transit changes.